Full Breakdown
Senate Race Sparks Debate Over Sharia Law Remarks
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
During a 2018 Michigan gubernatorial forum, Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed responded to a question about alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood by saying, “Now, you may not hate Muslims. But I’ll tell you, Muslims definitely hate you.” The remarks have become a focal point of the 2024 Michigan Senate race, with GOP opponents framing them as evidence of a hidden agenda to introduce Islamic legal principles.
Background & Context
El-Sayed served as vice-president of the University of Michigan’s Muslim Students Association (MSA) chapter in 2007. Republican gubernatorial candidate Patrick Colbeck cited a strategy memorandum that listed the MSA among groups associated with the Muslim Brotherhood, and warned that the issue involved “civilization jihad.” While the United States does not designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, several foreign governments—including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Russia—have done so.
Official Statements & Responses
El-Sayed’s campaign reiterated that he supports the separation of church and state and has no intention of drafting any religious code into law. statutes. Fox News Digital reported no evidence of proposals from El-Sayed to implement Sharia law.
Criticism & Opposition
Pastor Lorenzo Sewell, pastor of 180 Church in Dearborn, urged the city council to denounce what he called “the Muslim code” during a town-council meeting.
Data & Statistics
The 2020 U.S. Census shows that roughly 54.5 % of Dearborn residents reported Middle Eastern or North African ancestry, a demographic factor cited by critics as influencing local political dynamics.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Now, you may not hate Muslims. But I’ll tell you, Muslims definitely hate you,” — Abdul El-Sayed, spokesperson
- “This is very serious stuff, guys. This is about civilization jihad,” — Patrick Colbeck
- “I solemnly swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this state — that’s the oath that if any one of us is elected, we will swear. I take that oath particularly seriously because it guarantees me the right to pray as I choose to pray,” — Abdul El-Sayed, spokesperson